If you were standing in a field of tomatoes, you might be surprised to know that the soil underneath your feet is teeming with electrical signals being sent among plants as described in a new research study.1 These results continue to expand the startling complexity of plant adaptation and point directly to an Omnipotent Creator who engineered it all.
In 2013, a study was published showing that plants signaled each other when being attacked by insects so that plants which were not being attacked could mount a mitigating defensive response.2 In that study, it was shown that the communication channel was facilitated by an underground network of fungi that form mycelial fibers throughout the soil that connect to the plant root systems. This discovery shocked scientists with its unexpected design complexity and ingenuity. However, it remained a mystery as to how the plants actually performed the communication across their fungal internet-style network.
In this new study, the research involved a joint effort between electrical engineers and plant biochemists. The researchers used physical experiments and mathematical modeling to study the transmission of electrical signals between tomato plants. Much of the success of the study owed itself to one of the scientists who had a specialty in control engineering where specific mathematical algorithms are used in human designed systems such as aerospace vehicle control.
First, the scientists established that electrical signal propagation was occurring throughout the plant and also between plants through the soil fungal network. The researchers showed that plants generate electric signals that propagate through their stems, leaves, and roots. When the roots were experimentally separated from each other with an air gap, the electrical signals were impeded. However, when the plants were living together in a common soil inhabited by fungi, they were able to communicate by sending electrical signals to each other through the fungal strand network in the soil.
The researchers were also able to determine that the electrical signals contained structured information. Dr. Shtessel, one of the lead researchers stated, "I suggested building an equivalent electrical circuit and a corresponding mathematical model that describes these processes."3 Shtessel’s model was based on standard and partial differential equations. His modeling not only showed that meaningful information was being communicated, but it also enabled them to later conduct virtual experiments that successfully simulated underground fungal network plant signaling.
While this study used only tomato plants, the researchers believed that the new data opened a new door to understanding how different plant species can communicate through soil fungi.
This concept is important because, in the wild, plants live in diverse communities with other types of plants in soils that are rich in fungal networks.
Needless to say, these results are clear evidence of design and engineering by an omnipotent Creator. These results continue to uphold the scripture proclaimed in Romans 1:20 that says, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”
References
1. Volkov, A. G. et al. 2020. Underground electrotonic signal transmission between plants. Communicative & Integrative Biology. 13 (1): 54-58.
2. Tomkins, J. P. 2013. Plants Use Underground 'Fungal Internet' to Communicate. Creation Science Update. Posted on ICR.org August 5, 2013, accessed July 10, 2020.
3. Steele, J. 2020. Detection of electrical signaling between tomato plants raises interesting questions. Physorg. Posted on Phys.org July, 10, 2020, accessed July, 10, 2020.
*Dr. Tomkins is Director of Research at the Institute for Creation Research and earned his doctorate in genetics from Clemson University.

Electrical Signaling Among Plants Via Soil Fungal Network
The Latest
Continuous Environmental Tracking : An Engineering-Based Model...
Purpose
The Institute for Creation Research is engaged in our biggest science initiative in the last two decades, and it could be our most important...
CET: Testing the Cavefish Model
Staff Writer
Purpose
The Institute for Creation Research (ICR) is testing an engineering- based model of rapid biological adaptation called...
Original Biochemistry in Fossils
Purpose
In 1997, paleontologist Dr. Mary Schweitzer accidentally stumbled upon what appeared to be blood vessels and blood cells from a T. rex...
Debunking an Iconic Uniformitarian Ice Age Theory
Purpose
The Milankovitch, or astronomical, theory holds that the timing of Ice Ages is controlled by slow changes in Earth’s orbital and...
ICR and Explaining the Ice Age
by Larry Vardiman, Ph.D., and Michael J. Oard, M.S.*
Purpose
There is strong geological evidence for an Ice Age, so the Institute for Creation...
Planetary Magnetism
Purpose
In 1971, Dr. Thomas Barnes publicized a then “trade secret” of scientists studying the earth’s magnetic field, which...
Cosmology Research
Purpose
Taking the Hebrew text of Scripture at face value without inserting gaps or revising the meanings, the universe is only about 6,000 years...
The Coconino Sandstone: Water, not Wind
Purpose
The Coconino Sandstone is one of the most well-known formations in Grand Canyon. The blond-colored sandstone, just three layers down from...
Global Stratigraphy Supports a Progressive Worldwide Flood
Purpose
Is there geological evidence for a global flood? Is there evidence that the waters rose and peaked on Day 150 as recorded in Genesis 8?...
Human-Chimp DNA Similarity Research Refutes Evolution
Purpose
An oft-repeated claim of evolutionary propaganda is that the DNA of chimpanzees and humans is 98.5% identical. This high level of DNA...